Will Apple's be ripe over three miles? The key questions in the Grade 1 clash

Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle | Grade 1 | 3m | ATR

Will three miles be a help or a hindrance to Apple's Jade? That is the big question ahead of this sumptuous staying hurdle which contains three winners from last season's Cheltenham Festival and has a previous Champion Hurdle winner thrown in for good measure.

Some say Apple's Jade is tailormade for three miles, others argue that she would be better over two and should be aimed at the Champion Hurdle but the one thing everyone agrees upon is that she is a smashing mare who will take some stopping no matter what the trip.

She was runner-up in the 2016 Triumph Hurdle and went one better in the OLBG Mares Hurdle when returning to the Cheltenham Festival in March. She proved what a star she is over two and a half miles when destroying Nichols Canyon by nine lengths in the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month but could she possibly be even better over three miles? Here's hoping.

"I don't think three miles will be a problem and I think she might actually love it, but your guess is as good as mine and none of us will know until she tries it. She seems in great form and I have been very happy with her since Fairyhouse," said Apple's Jade's trainer Gordon Elliott.

Lieutenant Colonel also represents Elliott but he faces a very stiff task according to the trainer. "He is a former Grade 1 winner but he has been very disappointing of late and looks up against it."

Will the extra distance help Canyon bridge the gap?

Nichols Canyon is the champ. He took the step up to three miles in his stride when swooping late to land the Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, but could not live with Apple's Jade in the Hattons Grace. Will this longer trip make any difference?

"I do think he will come on a lot for his run at Fairyhouse and the trip will certainly make a difference to him," said Paul Townend, rider of Nichols Canyon whom he has already won a Grade 1 on.

"He seems in good form at home and hopefully he will show his true colours over his preferred trip."

Can Harrington spring a shock?

The other horse to have conquered Cheltenham in March was Supasundae, defying a mark of 148 in the Coral Cup with a two-length triumph over Taquin Du Seuil.

He is now back against the big boys but almost beat the big boys in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April when only finding Yanworth too strong in the closing stages. Jessica Harrington expects him to come on leaps and bounds from his Hatton's Grace comeback.

"Supasundae seems in super form and he has definitely come on for his run at Fairyhouse. That was over a shorter trip than ideal and this will suit better. I could not be any happier with him, although it goes without saying it is a very strong race," Harrington said.

On her 2014 Champion Hurdle winner Jezki, Harrington said: "He will relish the step back up in trip and seems to be in good order at home. I am very happy with my two and I expect them both to run well."

The line-up is completed by last season's Triumph Hurdle third Bapaume and the mare, Augusta Kate, who is owned by a bunch of celebrities who include Ant and Dec and Alan Shearer.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com